Stéphane

Stéphane is a French masculine given name, equivalent to Stephen or Steven. It derives from the Greek Stephanos, meaning crown or wreath, and is traditionally associated with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The standard spelling in French includes an acute accent on the e and a silent final e, with the name commonly pronounced roughly as ste-fahn. Variants in other languages include Esteban (Spanish), Stefano/Steven (Italian/English), and Stefan (German/Scandinavian); the feminine form is Stéphanie.

The name is widely used in France and other Francophone regions and is common among people in various professions, including the arts, politics, sports, and academia. It has historical depth in French literature and religious contexts and remains a popular choice for boys born in French-speaking communities.

Notable bearers:

- Stéphane Mallarmé (1842–1898), French poet and critic, a major figure of symbolism

- Stéphane Hessel (1917–2013), French diplomat and writer, co-author of Indignez-vous!

- Stéphane Dion (born 1946), Canadian politician, former Minister of Foreign Affairs

- Stéphane Bern (born 1964), French journalist and television presenter

- Stéphane Grappelli (1908–1997), French jazz violinist

- Stéphane Chapuisat (born 1969), Swiss footballer

- Stéphane Le Foll (born 1960), French politician, former Minister of Agriculture